Seminars in Spine Surgery RSS feed: Articles in Press. Seminars in Spine Surgery is a continuing source of current, clinical information for practicing surgeons. Under the direction of a specially selected guest editor, each issue addresses a single topic in the management and care of patients. Topics covered in each issue include basic anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, management options and follow-up of the condition under consideration. The journal also features "Spinescope," a special section providing summaries of articles from other journals that are of relevance to the understanding of ongoing research related to the treatment of spinal disorders.http://www.semspinesurg.com//inpress?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. Seminars in Spine Surgery1040-73832010-06-11 © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000237/abstract?rss=yesThe past decade, if not the past 50 years, has seen great advancements in the evaluationand treatment of congenital spinal deformities. Every year, new research is published on the etiology of congenital malformations of the spine. Although the definitive cause still eludes us, the list of agents and insults that are capable of causing such a problem is continually lengthened. Dr. Fran Farley and colleagues add to that list with their basic science work on carbon monoxide exposure in mice.Introduction - Corrected ProofJames T. Guille10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.004Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-06-11Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-06-11http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000286/abstract?rss=yesThis article is a brief overview of the evolution of nonoperative and operative treatment methods for patients with congenital spinal deformities.The Evolution of Treatment for Congenital Spinal Deformity - Corrected ProofLinda Park D'Andrea10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.009Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-06-11Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-06-11http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000249/abstract?rss=yesBy nature, congenital spinal deformity is always early in onset. Left untreated, many patients with progressive deformities of the spine and chest wall experience life-threatening complications. The goal of treatment is to improve the deformities and to allow the maximum potential growth of the spine and chest to occur. Therefore, non-fusion distraction-based procedures, such as growing rod (GR) or vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) are appealing. The GR procedure may be beneficial in the absence of multiple rib fusions, when the congenital anomaly involves a vertebral segment too long for resection, or with compensatory curve with structural pattern concomitant to the congenital deformity. There has been increasing interest in the use of GR techniques in congenital spine deformities in young children. Most recently results of GR application in congenital scoliosis patients with minimum 2 years follow-up have been presented by Growing Spine Study Group (GSSG). They reported 27% curve correction and 12 mm/year T1S1 growth at latest follow-up. Complications occurred in 8 of the 19 patients (42%), and complication rate per surgery was reported to be 15%. With proper patient selection, GR instrumentation is a useful technique in the treatment of selected cases of early-onset scoliosis caused by congenital spinal anomalies.Growing Rods in the Treatment of Congenital Spinal Deformity - Corrected ProofPooria Salari, Behrooz A. Akbarnia, Hazem El-Sebaie, Muharrem Yazici10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.005Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-06-10Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-06-10http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000262/abstract?rss=yesCongenital spinal deformities are caused by dysplastic vertebrae and the abnormal growth of the spinal column that follows. Curvature of the spine can be present at birth or may not manifest itself until later in life, often at puberty, when abnormal growth produces a deformity. This article will emphasize the overall evaluation of a patient with a congenital spinal deformity and the associated organ system defects that the physician should examine. It will also highlight the subsequent tests that should be ordered to aid in the decision-making process of treatment.Evaluation of the Patient with a Congenital Spinal Deformity - Corrected ProofPatrick S. Buckley, James T. Guille10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.007Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-06-10Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-06-10http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000274/abstract?rss=yesThis article discusses the preoperative evaluation and operative techniques in the treatment of congenital deformities of the cervicothoracic and cervical regions. We also review operative techniques in the treatment of congenital deformities in the cervicothoracic and cervical regions. The goal of early surgery in children with congenital cervicothoracic and cervical spinal deformities to prevent the development of severe local deformities, secondary structural curves, and to allow for normal growth in the unaffected spinal regions. This surgery requires consideration of the anomalies of osseous anatomy, brachial plexus, and vascular anatomy.The Surgical Treatment of Congenital Cervical and Cervicothoracic Deformity - Corrected ProofLynn Letko, Rubens Jensen, Jürgen Harms10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.008Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-06-10Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-06-10http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000225/abstract?rss=yesHemivertebrae may be progressive and result in significant spinal deformity and truncal imbalance. The development of the deformity is dependent upon the nature of the deformity, the site of the deformity, the age of the patient, and potential for future growth. Addressing the deformity early is essential to prevent serious structural deformity and prevent the development of compensatory curvature. Hemivertebrectomy of the lumbar spine is an accepted technique in the treatment of congenital spinal deformity. It is technically demanding, and the technique affords excellent and immediate correction of the deformity with restoration of proper spinal balance.Lumbar Hemivertebrectomy - Corrected ProofGilbert Chan, Kriti Sehgal, John P. Dormans10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.003Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-06-07Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-06-07http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000201/abstract?rss=yesCongenital scoliosis may have an environmental or genetic etiology. Environmental etiologies have focused on maternal carbon monoxide exposure in mice early in gestation. Genetic studies have focused on skeletal patterning genes in the human and the mouse. Genetic mutations have been isolated in the related Jarcho-Levin syndrome.Etiology of Congenital Scoliosis - Corrected ProofFrances A. Farley10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.001Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-05-10Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-05-10http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000213/abstract?rss=yesThe objective of this review is to discuss the indications, surgical technique, and potential complications of thoracic hemivertebra excision in the pediatric population. Thoracic hemivertebra produce a congenital scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis that may progress and require surgical intervention. Patients may require either separate anterior and posterior approaches for hemivertebra excision, or more recently, a posterior-only approach has been developed, which is our preferred method. A posterior-only approach is accomplished with a unilateral costotransversectomy, which allows complete hemivertebra excision as well as reconstruction of the anterior as well as posterior column. Preoperative preparation, intraoperative pearls, and pitfalls and postoperative care will be discussed for this surgical procedure.Resection of Thoracic Hemivertebra - Corrected ProofTimothy R. Kuklo, Lawrence G. Lenke10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.002Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-05-10Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-05-10http://www.semspinesurg.com/article/PIIS1040738310000250/abstract?rss=yesGrowth imbalance of the vertebrae leads to three dimensional deformities of the spinal column in congenital spinal deformities. Deformities are often rigid and create serious challenge for reconstructive surgery. In-situ fusions were popular before use of instrumentation in congenital spinal deformities. Combined anterior-posterior fusions of the vertebral column were performed to stop the progression of the curves. Unique problems in congenital spinal deformity like shorter spinal/trunk length and thoracic insufficiency syndrome are worsened due to shortening of the spine in time after conventional fusion treatments. Spine is stiff in congenital spinal deformities and all surgical interventions increase rigidity by reducing the amount of mobile segments. Spinal canal compromises observed in congenital deformities and associated spinal cord anomalies may increase the risk of neurologic injury following surgical manipulation. Aim of the treatment should be to obtain optimal and safe corrections with lesser segment solid fusions, preventing the adding on and crankshaft phenomena with a minimum number of surgical procedures. Modern surgical techniques enabled us to straighten the spines as achieve solid fusions. Now, it is possible to obtain significant level of reconstruction via instrumented fusion on congenital spinal deformities. Modern anesthesiology methods, developments in imaging procedures and neuromonitorization techniques as well as newer implant technologies enable spine surgeons to deal with complicated congenital spinal deformities.We aimed to review the current instrumented treatment modalities for congenital spinal deformities and the difficulties faced during instrumentation of the congenitally deformed spine.Use of Instrumentation in the Correction of Congenital Spinal Deformities - Corrected ProofIbrahim Akel, Muharrem Yazici10.1053/j.semss.2010.03.006Seminars in Spine Surgery (2010)2010-05-10Seminars in Spine Surgery2010-05-10